Last Supper Denied
December 9, 2009
Sometimes, your end of Las Vegas Boulevard simply cannot catch a break.
While the entirety of LVB from Mandalay Bay to Fremont Street is easily accessible to yours truly either with or without an automobile, some places are certainly more convenient than others.
The Sahara is one of those places.
As my primary monorail station and a sub-5 minute walk from my dwelling here in town, this property is practically an extension of my own home.
1am and can’t sleep?
Masturbate twice and try to drift off again. If that doesn’t work … throw on some shoes, grab a jacket, walk south, and sit at a semi-deserted Blackjack table. Maybe check out the poker room and see if there’s anything going on. Chat with the dealers who would rather be anywhere else than the graveyard shift at an outdated casino on a part of The Strip that’s slipping further into neglect.
These are the people from whom I glean some of my best insight, and dare I say it, empathy. It’s hard to relate to the plight of a Las Vegas card slinger when the money is flowing at the Wynn, but when you draw a timid, aging Asian woman trying to make ends meet as she is being verbally abused by the pit boss for not announcing your buy-in loud enough, it’s a whole different world.
Hungry at 9pm and don’t feel like making anything?
Throw on some shoes, grab a jacket, walk south, and stand in a line almost indistinguishable from that of a methadone clinic while clutching your Sahara Player’s card as if it were your only ticket to salvation.
Las Vegas Sahara Buffet
Las Vegas Sahara Buffet
Las Vegas Sahara Buffet
Las Vegas Sahara Buffet
Las Vegas Sahara Buffet
Las Vegas Sahara Buffet
Las Vegas Sahara Buffet
Las Vegas Sahara Buffet
At least that used to work.
For those of you who are still unaware, the Sahara Buffet has closed its doors. Most likely for good.
Here is a mildly disputable fact:
Most self-professed “Vegasphiles” are way too cool for the Sahara Buffet. Especially those with broadband Internet connections.
When the news of the closing first broke, the responses were predictable.
I present to you one email:
“I guess all of their customers died of food poisoning.”
While I appreciated the good-natured humor, on a wider scale the closing was veritable chum for a metrosexual feeding frenzy as each cooler-than-though individual stroked their chin while trying to think up something more clever than the previous culinary critic about the demise of a place which was ostensibly beneath them.
Nobody ever got fired for buying Microsoft, and nobody has ever been ostracized for shitting on the Sahara, Stratosphere, Circus Circus, etc. Even as adults, we still look for the fat, friendless kid to pick on. It secures our place in the cool crowd, incurs zero risk (someone who’s never even been to Vegas gets instacred for bagging on Circus Circus), and is integral to the maintenance of our own self-esteem.
It’s human nature, and will be a part of our behavior until the polar ice caps melt and cause our extinction. Assuming global thermonuclear war doesn’t get us first. Or H1N1. Or whatever is supposed to happen in 2012.
Personally, I see the loss as a bit more significant than just the destruction of a third-rate eating hole designed to feed Vegas F-listers.
First of all, it’s yet another loss of jobs. I doubt I will ever cheer this.
Second, it was quite a good deal. I’ve been eating at the Sahara Buffet since the late 90’s, and it’s always been cheap, reliable, and just … there. Like the corner diner you simply take for granted because it’s been there since you moved into the neighborhood, and has never let you down.
I’ve eaten at the Sahara more times than I would care to count, and I’ve never gotten ill, seen a rat, or even seen a bug. I’ve heard countless horror stories from those who have claimed to dine in the establishment, but I think my patronage represents a pretty decent representative sample. If these problems were endemic to the buffet … I probably would have encountered them. Most of the food was well-cooked, and it tasted like it was supposed to. The roast beef did not taste like dinosaur anus. It actually tasted like roast beef, and the mashed potatoes actually tasted like mashed potatoes. Believe it or not, I never found a dead body under the sneeze guard.
Well, at least not the dead body of a human (for the PETA crowd).
It was not fine cuisine, but it was decent for what it was. A standard $7-$15 (depending on card ownership and time of day) all-you-can-eat buffet. It was perhaps the epitome of Las Vegas no-frills dining.
Last but not least, it was possibly even more of a symptom of the economic realities of Vegas than say, the Fontainebleau.
In times like these, one might expect the closure of a high-end venue like an ultralounge or a restaurant specializing in triple digit individual checks. It would be a loss, but certainly not a shock.
One of the least expensive buffets on the Las Vegas Strip, however, comes as a large surprise. This is a place that should thrive in our current economic environment, and if they can’t make it, things may be a little worse than even we knew. Especially for everything north of the Fashion Show Mall.
Over the weekend, I was assured that the buffet would be opened through Tuesday night.
I went to the Sahara Buffet last night for a “last supper” and was greeted with a sign indicating that it had already closed.
Las Vegas Sahara Buffet Closed
Las Vegas Sahara Buffet Closed
This morning I called to find out what had happened. I was told that originally they were going to have their last day on the 8th (Tuesday) but received a last minute memo stating that it would close a day earlier. The stated reason for closure was low sales. The buffet was simply too much of a loss-leader to keep operating. Especially at the deeply-discounted club card rates. I was informed that they are not planning to bring it back as of now, but of course it always remains a possibility. They have not decided what will take the place of the buffet, if anything.
And so you have it.
You can jump for joy, mourn the loss, or as most people probably will … simply shrug and say “Sahara Buffwhat?”
Personally, I’m disappointed to see it go.
Written by philipj on December 9, 2009 at 10:07 am
I realize I am an uncool commoner, and I like being thisw way. This is the type of joint I would eat at. But again I ate breakfast at the Plaza. No critic here, just a full belly.
Written by Disco Stu on December 9, 2009 at 10:23 am
I liked it the times I ate there. For the price of a sandwich, I could get a full buffet and a beverage. Plus, I could refill my own drink any time I wanted. I think the buffet suffered from being in a bad spot, up on the second floor and all the way back. The last time I tried to go, it was not open for lunch, which is not much of a story, but it was a disappointment considering there was no sign at all until I got all the way up there.
Written by blueboar on December 9, 2009 at 10:27 am
I wonder if perhaps the McDonald’s nearby, plus the Sahara’s own $1 hot dogs and $1 beers might have contributed to the buffet’s demise?
I imagine that the buffet was probably healthier and a better value than either of the previously mentioned choices.
I’ve eaten at the Sahara’s coffee shop. Ok value. Nothing special, nothing terrible. Basically pretty middle of the road. I imagine the buffet was about the same.
I do wonder about the future of the Sahara. They had big plans when they bought it and then the economy tanked. I still find it fun. It has a lot of potential if they can find the money to refurb more of the rooms. My experience is that the rooms are ok, but a bit tired.
Written by stale-marshmallow on December 9, 2009 at 10:42 am
I have actually never eaten there and probably never would (if it had stayed open) as I am not a buffet eater. However I will commiserate with you Rex, it is borderline heartbreaking whenever you hear of places closing – on a nostalgic note as well as and more importantly job losses. I just returned from Vegas and noticed most restaurants (in particular the hotel cafes) and CWs were very short staffed. In some of the casinos it was almost like you had to steal drinks off the CW’s tray to get one and that is if you were lucky enough to spot one.
Written by BigRedDogATL on December 9, 2009 at 11:01 am
Sahara is now going to have to update their website and also update a room offer. They have been offering one deal where you got to dine on them if you stayed in one of their rooms. Without the buffet, they will have to change that promotion.
Written by George on December 9, 2009 at 11:05 am
I was eating in the Sahara buffet on occasion. Got tired of it though. The food was just OK. The coffee shop food is actually pretty good though.
But I don’t get the logic though of closing it. A loss leader is supposed to be exactly that: take the loss but make it up in the extras. Inexpensive buffet’s are part of the attraction of visiting Vegas for most of the bread and butter crowd that frequent the lower end hotel/casinos. I can see them easily deciding on staying in other properties once they realize the buffet is no longer.
Too bad new owner Sam Nazarian can’t find the resources to follow through with his big plans. I was looking forward to the Sahara getting a much needed upgrade.
Written by chilli on December 9, 2009 at 11:48 am
Casinos used to make up for their buffets losses through keeping their gamblers on their site, but now their losses are not worth its weight. Casinos are now trying to make money off their buffets instead of using them as an incentive for gamblers to get a cheap eat and continue gambling.
The closing of their buffet seems like a very rushed last minute decision. They still have it as available on their site too.
Written by ColinFromLasVegas on December 9, 2009 at 11:55 am
George above hit the nail on the head. Closing the buffet is contrary to what any casino owner wants. Sure, there are four other restaurants there at the Sahara, but a buffet will keep patrons on the property.
An interesting question, and I don’t particularly care too much what is the answer to it, but I’ll throw it out there. What exactly do they plan to put in there? There is now a whole lot of wasted space there now, not to mention people have to maintain something that is not making them money. Be kind of interesting to see what they throw in there to try to turn it into a money maker for them.
But then again, it’s the Sahara. Not much has ever been done to renovate that existing structure too much in its entire history. Except for the famous Sahara Casino sign in the parking lot across Paradise Boulevard (near the street escalator entrance to the monorail station) burning down back in 2005. And the removal of the above the street walkway over Paradise Boulevard (because the monorail station and connector replaced it). But then Rex answered it. The new owner had high hopes for changes, but then the economy spiraled downwards on him.
Written by GuyNotes on December 9, 2009 at 12:26 pm
I too loved this establishment. Why do I need to spend $50 to “say” I ate caribou off of one of Steve’s hooker’s? The Sahara was clean, good, and plentiful. I guess they figured raising the prices to make ends meet wasn’t worth it. Shame. What next? The Excalibur closing their feats? The ice caps are melting people! 2012 is here!
Written by RG on December 9, 2009 at 2:56 pm
I generally agree with Rex on things/places that are “uncool” which are generally not that bad and in fact sometimes very good spots. I however cannot agree on this one. I have eaten here probably half a dozen times over the last 8 years and each time was poor. I imagine its closing because it loses money, they probably have very few repeat customers and the word of mouth is desevedly crappy…
Written by keith on December 9, 2009 at 3:03 pm
“The roast beef did not taste like dinosaur anus.” – line of the day.
and as for the PETA folks – fuck ‘em. If you can’t find a hamburger tasty, something is seriously wrong.
Written by SPRUNT on December 9, 2009 at 3:33 pm
If the buffet is really there as a means to keep people on the property, then the Excalibur has the right idea about offering an all-day-pass. Tell someone they can pay one price and eat as much as they want for 24 hours and I’m sure it’ll help them stick around the property for at least a day to get the full breakfast, lunch, dinner out of it.
I think buffets should also start doing 24-hour service. After they would normally close they should tear things down to a basic, midnight snack, kind of selection. Some fruit, cereal, desserts, etc. A small, cold bar, with maybe some hotplate offerings in the middle of the night could be run by a skeleton crew.. That would make staying awake and at a property pretty appealing, especially with a 24-hour pass.
Written by tombrokaw on December 9, 2009 at 3:46 pm
Perhaps the closing of low end properties such as sahara buffet and binion’s indicate that the declining economy has disproportionately affected the target clientele for these places.
There are still enough “too cool for school” vegas consumers such as myself from California to keep the superficial businesses afloat, yes?
In this context the closing of sahara buffet would make perfect sense then.
Written by Tony on December 9, 2009 at 6:28 pm
This is disappointing news. My wife and I would generally eat there at least once during a weekend stay at the Sahara. The price was too good, and there generally was not a line. I thought the food was just fine – maybe not WOW, but better than slaving over a hot stove at home!
I am really concerned about the future of Sahara. These types of decisions don’t come lightly, unless the business is really mis-managed, which means something far worse than the buffet closing. We’d hate to see the Sahara close. Maybe there are big plans that will be announced soon? Wishful thinking…
Written by briguyx on December 10, 2009 at 12:20 am
Maybe all the people eating that big burrito Rex is always talking up meant they didn’t need a buffet!
Actually I still rue the closing of the buffet at the Stardust. Now that was excellent for the price! So now my go-to cheap buffet (although not as cheap as the ones we’re talking about) is the one at the Luxor…
Written by FoolsGold on December 10, 2009 at 6:03 am
Loss leader???
Way back when… in the days when Circus Circus was making headlines on its room rates and its buffet, that low priced buffet was still making money for them!!
Written by Alan on December 12, 2009 at 3:47 pm
I don’t make it to Las Vegas very often, but when I do, I always visit the last remaining original Strip hotel/casinos because I figure it will be for the last time. The closing of the buffet (one day before my last visit) tells me that the future of the Sahara doesn’t look too promising. Am I right?